Lichens are organisms included into the fangus family (Fungi) consisting of a fungus and alga component part connected together by inseparable symbiosis.

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Investigative Project

Use of bioindycators to define level of pollution of natural environment in the area of Cieszyn.

Aims of the research:

*Defining lichens presence on the chosen territory
*Defining lichens presence with taking into account emission
*Evaluating the level of SO2
*Analyzing similarities between lichens present on diffrent&nbsp territories
*Attempt to estimate the level of SO2 in different parts of the&nbsp city
*Interpretation of the results achieved

&nbsp&nbsp 19% days in the year-flow of air from the west
&nbsp&nbsp 10% days in the year-flow of air from the north-west
&nbsp&nbsp <10% days in the year-flow of air from the south
&nbsp&nbsp ok.9% days in the year-flow of air from the east
&nbsp&nbsp <6% days in the year-flow of air from the north-east
&nbsp&nbsp 25% days in the year ? situations of changed flow of advection or lack of advection.

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Mid-year level of SO2 from 1997 to 2004

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Acceptable annual value

* (according to decree of Environmental Minister from 6.06.2002 in the&nbsp&nbsp case of acceptable level of diffrent substances)

SO2: 20 ug/m3 *
An average annual value in Cieszyn in 2004: 16 ug/m3

NO2: 40 ug/m3 *
An average annual value in Cieszyn in 2004: 15 ug/m3

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Lichen scale

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Zone 1170 ug/m3 SO2

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Zone 2170-150 ug/m3 SO2

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Zone 1 - Desert, no lichens present - air in that area is highly polluted.

Zone 2 - Almost deserted area - air in that area is badly polluted.

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Conclusions

* The level of pollution depends on the weather conditions, on the local&nbsp&nbsp flow of air and landscape.

* The change of the level of pollutnion between seasons is extremaly&nbsp&nbsp visible.

* From the observation which were made, it is visible that there are&nbsp&nbsp many areas in the city, that could be called desert. The trees are&nbsp&nbsp covered by algae in a varied degree. On the teritory of Cieszyn we can&nbsp&nbsp find lichens that look like shells, in grey, beige and green colour. By&nbsp&nbsp making use of the lichens scale we can estimate wether we live in&nbsp&nbsp algae zone or any other. The air pollution caused by SO2 is quite high.